What I do.

[Sue E.]

My occupation was initially not something I chose...I wanted to be a vet, or second choice, a doctor. I am a voracious reader, an only child, and also an introvert when it comes to parties, things like that. But then I met a guy, got married (!) at 16, and life took a different turn. Well, the marriage didnt last, but the path to my dream career was broken. I ended up going to nursing school instead and have been a nurse for 40 years! Part of my job fascinates me and there is a definitely never a dull moment! But I am not a hand-holdie nurse (bless the ones who are, lord knows we need them!)- I was the nurse who would pour over the Merck manual, learn to interpret blood work and CT scans etc, find those subtle signs and puzzle over them until I came up with a way to make you feel healthy again (or at least healthier). I had the wonderful good fortune to work with some great docs who taught me a lot and never minded tossing ideas back and forth on what various symptoms could indicate and how conditions respond to various treatments. Fast forward to 2 daughters, 3 grandkids and now I finally have time to indulge my own pleasures. Reptiles, dragons in particular, are the ideal pet for me BECAUSE they are so challenging and intriguing and there is so much to learn about them. It was never easy for me to make friends because a lot of people Ive met have turned out to be somewhat superficial and not really curious about life beyond their day to day experiences. So yeah, I totally identify with you, and Im very glad to have "met" you all! I truly enjoy curious people who also love to learn! (And, of course, I love dragons!)

 

[xp29]

My occupation was initially not something I chose...I wanted to be a vet, or second choice, a doctor. I am a voracious reader, an only child, and also an introvert when it comes to parties, things like that. But then I met a guy, got married (!) at 16, and life took a different turn. Well, the marriage didnt last, but the path to my dream career was broken. I ended up going to nursing school instead and have been a nurse for 40 years! Part of my job fascinates me and there is a definitely never a dull moment! But I am not a hand-holdie nurse (bless the ones who are, lord knows we need them!)- I was the nurse who would pour over the Merck manual, learn to interpret blood work and CT scans etc, find those subtle signs and puzzle over them until I came up with a way to make you feel healthy again (or at least healthier). I had the wonderful good fortune to work with some great docs who taught me a lot and never minded tossing ideas back and forth on what various symptoms could indicate and how conditions respond to various treatments. Fast forward to 2 daughters, 3 grandkids and now I finally have time to indulge my own pleasures. Reptiles, dragons in particular, are the ideal pet for me BECAUSE they are so challenging and intriguing and there is so much to learn about them. It was never easy for me to make friends because a lot of people Ive met have turned out to be somewhat superficial and not really curious about life beyond their day to day experiences. So yeah, I totally identify with you, and Im very glad to have "met" you all! I truly enjoy curious people who also love to learn! (And, of course, I love dragons!)

If I had it to do over I'd be a geologist or a vet. I've been a life long Rockhound. But also a life long animal lover. My love for reptiles is more recent. If I had discovered beardies 20 years earlier I'd be a vet for sure
As far as nurses, I think you are heros. I spent a lot of time inbthe hospital once ( a doctor botched a surgery and nearly killed me) Doctors might do the cutting, but it is the nurses truly take care of ya!

 

[ChileanTaco]

@Sue E.
To being introvert, I can very much relate to that.
Regarding reptiles being the perfect pet: For me it is as they are not very much domesticated (I like "wild" behavior), for me technical things aren't troublesome, and a pet that does not strongly depend on me and also does well with just feeding and cleaning for a while, if necessary.
(In contrast to e.g. a dog. I know that a dog needs that and would not be irresponsible, but I just know I can't, because of my job - my job requires travel to foreign countries, I could not take a dog with me all the time; I often work night shifts thus could not walk a dog on time etc.)
I liked all sorts of "critter", being them reptiles, insects, arachnids... since childhood. I got my beardie just one and a half year ago, after our second time moving intercontinental. Before it just didn't work out, because moving long-distance with a reptile is often not feasible (most airlines refuse transporting them, and if, only in cargo hold).

My job, I would not change it. I had thought about becoming

geologist or a vet

a geologist or a wildlife biologist, but with a bad back and bad hips already as a teenager (also had surgeries, had accommodations at school such as having a standing desk and not having to participate in sports or sportive school outings), it was just not realistic as a long-term choice when your job might depend on hiking, carrying large backpacks, driving offroad, climbing, camping and such. A job that can be done on a desk, outfitted however I need it in an ergonomic way, suits me much better. As I love all kind of technical things too, my choice was software engineering and then studying physics.
Nowadays I'm working at an astronomical institute, job with minimal physical requirements (it's a technical desk job, sometimes a bit of work in an electronic lab), and enjoy hiking, observing and photographing wildlife and such as a hobby. When doing it as a hobby, it's up to me when I do it, how often I do it, and what I do. Hiking with only a daypack is fine (I carry a bit, husband carries most ), camping, climbing and driving offroad are for sure not. I love hiking vacations, but only so that at the end of the day, I come back to a hotel with a real bed, and normal bathroom, and not have to camp.

 

[IAmAMirage]

@Sue E.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication, both in the beardie world and in the human one! I think what you do is awesome!

 

[Rocky2022]

My occupation was initially not something I chose...I wanted to be a vet, or second choice, a doctor. I am a voracious reader, an only child, and also an introvert when it comes to parties, things like that. But then I met a guy, got married (!) at 16, and life took a different turn. Well, the marriage didnt last, but the path to my dream career was broken. I ended up going to nursing school instead and have been a nurse for 40 years! Part of my job fascinates me and there is a definitely never a dull moment! But I am not a hand-holdie nurse (bless the ones who are, lord knows we need them!)- I was the nurse who would pour over the Merck manual, learn to interpret blood work and CT scans etc, find those subtle signs and puzzle over them until I came up with a way to make you feel healthy again (or at least healthier). I had the wonderful good fortune to work with some great docs who taught me a lot and never minded tossing ideas back and forth on what various symptoms could indicate and how conditions respond to various treatments. Fast forward to 2 daughters, 3 grandkids and now I finally have time to indulge my own pleasures. Reptiles, dragons in particular, are the ideal pet for me BECAUSE they are so challenging and intriguing and there is so much to learn about them. It was never easy for me to make friends because a lot of people Ive met have turned out to be somewhat superficial and not really curious about life beyond their day to day experiences. So yeah, I totally identify with you, and Im very glad to have "met" you all! I truly enjoy curious people who also love to learn! (And, of course, I love dragons!)

The twists and turns got me dizzy but I'm fascinated. Isn't that what life is all about?! You're here to tell your story. We meet in this world of beardies . Sounds like you hit the jackpot of i must say so myself.

 

[IAmAMirage]

If you plan on shipping deserts, for sure post a link when you get up and running, I for one will pass it on to friends and family

@xp29 I know its been so long since this originally posted! However, I have exciting news! We've figured out how to ship them without the baked goods going bad or adding preservatives!

We still don't have a website, just an email, but if your interested, pm me and I'll give you the info!

 

[xp29]

@xp29 I know its been so long since this originally posted! However, I have exciting news! We've figured out how to ship them without the baked goods going bad or adding preservatives!

We still don't have a website, just an email, but if your interested, pm me and I'll give you the info!

Oh that's great news!! I hope you are insanely successful